Going from worst to first is never easy. But the road can be made much easier by landing a stud All-Star in the NBA Draft.
Odds are that Miami will land the top pick and take Michael Beasley to team up with Shawn Marion and Dwyane Wade. Seattle finds itself in another lottery, with a chance of landing the next Kevin Durant. Minnesota and Memphis have the next best chance of scoring the top pick.
The odds didn't mean anything last year when the teams with the three worst records (Memphis, Boston and Milwaukee), all fell out of the top three spots, the first time ever under the current format.
Going into tonight's "lottery" NBA general managers are hoping for the number one pick, obviously, but anything outside of No. 1 or No. 2 will be a big bummer. As a Wolves fan, if we don't get number one or two -- I want us to trade the pick.
After Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose, there is a big drop-off in talent. In order to help you get an idea of what to expect tonight at 8 ET on ESPN -- here is a rundown of "what should happen" in the 2008 NBA draft lottery...
1. Miami Heat -- Michael Beasley
-- Beasley would put Miami back into the contender category. With Marion, Wade and Beasley, the Heat would be in good hands.
Odds of winning the lottery: 25 percent
2. Seattle SuperSonics -- Derrick Rose
-- Seattle would benefit greatly from having a duo of the past two NCAA Player's of the year, but would probably prefer the No. 2 overall pick. Not having to decide the fate of the future, landing Rose would anchor the Sonics for years to come.
Odds of winning the lottery: 19.9 percent
3. Minnesota Timberwolves -- O.J. Mayo
-- Well, I'll tell you one thing: As a wolves fan and Minnesota native -- I'd hate to see Brook Lopez drafted here. If the Wolves don't get No. 1 or No. 2, McHale will screw it up somehow.
Odds of winning the lottery: 13.8 percent
4. Memphis Grizzlies -- Brook Lopez
-- Memphis will probably get the "lottery love" this year (meaning some David Stern help) after having to give the Lakers Pau Gasol for all but nothing. And if Memphis has the first pick, I wouldn't be surprised if they took Rose.
Odds of winning the lottery: 13.7 percent
5. New York Knicks -- Eric Gordon
-- New York needs luck tonight in order to land a possible Marbury or Zach Randolph replacement. I like Gordon, but he plays too much like Jamal Crawford, so NY might want to fall to eighth in order to get an excuse to draft a big man such as Kevin Love or DeAndre Jordan.
Odds of winning the lottery: 7.6 percent
6. Los Angeles Clippers -- Jarryd Bayless
-- Shaun Livingston and Elton Brand will automatically help make the Clippers better next season, but adding a high pick could vault them back into the playoff picture.
Odds of winning the lottery: 7.5 percent
7. Milwaukee Bucks -- Danilo Gallinari
-- Gallinari (born on 8.8.88, destined for greatness) could fit nicely with the Bucks. I like the potential of having Yi and Dani playing alongside Redd and Williams.
Odds of winning the lottery: 4.3 percent
8. Charlotte Bobcats -- Kevin Love
-- The Bobcats are so close to becoming a legit playoff contender in the East. They need a solid big man who isn't injury prone, Kevin Love fits the bill.
Odds of winning the lottery: 2.8 percent
9. Chicago Bulls -- DeAndre Jordan
-- Chicago doesn't need anything, so whatever they get will be a plus.
Odds of winning the lottery: 1.7 percent
10. New Jersey Nets -- D.J. Augustin
-- Adding D.J. Augustin with the 10th pick would be a blessing for the Kidd-less Nets. I'd be surprised if Augustin gets passed at this pick.
Odds of winning the lottery: 1.1 percent
11. Indiana Pacers -- Russell Westbrook
-- The Pacers need a lot of help. Adding Westbrook would give them depth and talent at the guard position, but can Westbrook really control an offense? I'm skeptical.
Odds of winning the lottery: 0.8 percent
12. Sacramento Kings -- Anthony Randolph
-- Anthony Randolph, who plays solid defense and has a rising offensive game, would make a solid replacement for Ron Artest if they lose him to free agency.
Odds of winning the lottery: 0.7 percent
13. Portland TrailBlazers -- Kosta Koufos
-- Koufos might be drafted in the top 10 because of his size and potential. I am sure that Koufos would love re-unite with ex-Buckeye teammate Greg Oden.
Odds of winning the lottery: 0.6 percent
14. Golden State Warriors -- Donte Greene
-- Golden State must be the best lottery team in history. Whatever they add on draft night will be a nice little bonus to what is already a playoff team.
Odds of winning the lottery: 0.5 percent
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